In the Footsteps of the Berbers, from Djurjura to Olive Villages

First day of hiking in the Djurdjura. You leave the inn early in the morning and cross the Bou Djurjuraa state forest, populated by Atlas cedars, some of which are over three centuries old. Along the way, you may also spot Barbary macaques. The hike continues with a gradual climb towards the Haizer plateaus. The vegetation gradually gives way to alpine pastures, while the Tachgagalt ridge and the Lion's Tooth (2 123 m) accompany your progress.

You reach the Tamda Ouguelmin Lake, or Goulimine, situated at 1 745 m altitude and surrounded by meadows and limestone rocks, in early afternoon. Bivouac set up by the lake, then dinner prepared on a camping stove and night under the stars. At this altitude, nights can be cool: sleeping bag essential.

After waking at first light on Lake Goulimine and having breakfast at the bivouac, you strike camp to head to the north slope of Djurdjura. The landscape becomes greener, between alpine meadows and pastures. You descend via ancient shepherd paths, dotted with springs and fountains. The hike crosses several alpine pastures and passes near old sheepfolds, while the first Kabyle villages appear below.

Late in the afternoon, arrival at Timeghras, a village dominated by Mount Thaletat, the "Big Finger" in Kabyle. Check-in at the Gîte du Capitaine, a Kabyle house located in a family neighborhood, then shower, rest and Kabyle meal to end the day.

For this first day of hiking, you leave the lodge early in the morning and cross the Bou Djurdjura state forest, populated with Atlas cedars, some of which are over three centuries old. Along the way, you may also observe Barbary macaques in the heights.

The climb continues gradually towards the Haizer plateaus, where the forest gives way to the first alpine pastures. The Tachgagalt ridge and the Lion's Tooth (2,123 m) dominate the landscape as you progress.

In early afternoon, you reach Lake Tamda Ouguelmin, or Goulimine, perched at 1,745 m altitude and surrounded by meadows and limestone rocks. Setting up camp by the lake, meals prepared on the camp stove and evening under the stars. As nights can be cool at this altitude, a sleeping bag is essential.

After waking at first light on Lake Goulimine and having breakfast at the bivouac, you break camp to reach the north slope of Djurdjura. The landscape becomes greener, marked by vast alpine meadows where a few herds still graze in season.

The descent follows ancient shepherd paths, lined with springs and fountains. You cross several alpine pastures, encounter old sheepfolds and gradually catch sight of the first Kabylan villages below.

In late afternoon, you arrive at Timeghras, a village in the Tizi Ouzou province dominated by Mount Thaletat, the "Great Finger" in Kabylan. Check-in at the Captain's Lodge, a Kabylan house located in a family neighborhood, then rest, shower and Kabylan meal to end the day.

Early morning departure from Timeghras for a day dedicated to climbing Lalla Khedidja, or Tamgut in Kabyle, which reaches 2,308 meters.

You follow the Talahat route, which first follows an exposed ridge before progressing through the limestone scree of the high mountains of Djurdjura. The last hundred meters are more demanding, with uneven terrain, noticeable altitude and the possibility of encountering wind.

Once at the summit, you enjoy a 360° panorama over Djurdjura. On clear days, your gaze extends to the Mediterranean to the north and over the high plateaus of Bouira and Sétif to the south. To the east and west, the peaks, passes and forests of the Djurdjura range stand out.

After this day in the mountains, you begin your descent towards Iboudraren.

Upon arrival, you settle at Cairn Mountain, a guesthouse and educational farm dedicated to ecotourism, located in a peaceful mountain setting.

This last great hiking day begins at the Tizi N'Kouilal pass, from where you cross the Aït Ouabane forest, a complete natural reserve of 1,100 hectares. Nicknamed the "Forest of Colors", it brings together hundred-year-old Atlas cedars, maples, green oaks and yews, as well as pseudo-alpine grasslands. Barbary macaques can also be observed along the way during the hike. You progress under the trees until you reach the Tirourda pass, at 1,750 m altitude, located at the crossroads of the wilayas of Tizi Ouzou, Bouira and Béjaïa. You continue the hike with the climb towards Azrou N'Thor (1,883 m), a limestone peak recognizable by its white marabout and an ancestral pilgrimage site in Kabylie. From the summit, the panorama opens onto the Soummam valley on one side and onto the Djurdjura massif on the other.

You then set up your bivouac on the plateau, at the foot of the summit. The day ends with a dinner under the stars, with the lights of the valley villages below.

After the sunrise over the ridges and a last coffee at the bivouac, you break camp to begin the descent towards the Chellata pass. Allow two to three hours of hiking on more accessible terrain than the previous days, across the north-facing slope, lush and wooded. Upon your arrival at the pass, vehicles await you to continue the journey.
You take the road towards Bouzghène and the village of Aït Saïd, leaving the mineral landscapes of Djurdjura to rediscover an agricultural Kabylie, among terraced olive groves, fig trees, white stone houses and shaded tajmaats.

The afternoon and evening are free to explore the village at your own pace: walks through the olive groves, tea under a fig tree, exchanges with locals about the tajmaat and discovery of Kabyle cuisine prepared by the women of the village.

You spend the night with a local family, within the houses of Aït Saïd, to end the journey as close as possible to local life.

It is time to rejoin Algiers. Meals according to your convenience then transfer to the airport for the return flight.